Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity in Young Patients

Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (MHPEC) peaks in age at 65 years. However, they also occur regularly in younger patients. The aim of this study is to present differences in MHPEC in younger patients.

Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of tumor characteristics and treatment courses of all patients between 18 and 40 years (U40) treated at the Head and Neck Tumor Center Freiburg between 2010 and 2020. Comparison with the group of patients over 60 years (60+).

Results Included were 37 patients U40 (16 male, 21 female)/group 1 and 509 patients 60+ (276 male, 233 female)/group 2. An identical distribution was shown regarding local tumor size: stages T1/T2 accounted for 68% in both groups and stages T3/T4 accounted for 32% in both groups. Lymph node metastases were less frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (31% vs. 40%). Most patients in group 1 underwent primary surgery (94% vs. 82%). The 5-year survival rate was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (84% vs. 54%, p=0.0047). There were no statistically significant differences in recurrence-free time (p=0.18).

Conclusion Younger patients with MHPEC show locally similar advanced carcinomas as older patients at diagnosis, less frequently lymph node metastases and are more frequently treated by primary surgery. Nevertheless, there are no statistically significant differences in terms of recurrence-free time, which may suggest a comparatively more aggressive tumor behavior in this patient group. The differences in overall survival may be explained by comorbidity in group 2. Young patients with MHPEC require close follow-up after therapy for early detection of recurrences.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022